Staff Reporter:
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will attend the two-day World Leaders’ Summit of COP31 in Türkiye where Bangladesh will press for grant-based climate financing and greater accountability from major carbon-emitting nations.
“The Honourable Prime Minister will make a very brief visit this time…He will attend the two-day high-level session,” State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam told journalists at the foreign ministry yesterday afternoon.
The 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will take place at the Antalya Expo Center in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20 while the high-level World Leaders’ Climate Action Summit to be held on November 11-12.
Shama said Bangladesh would place particular emphasis on showcasing its achievements in climate resilience and adaptation while pressing developed countries to fulfil their responsibilities towards climate-vulnerable nations.
She said Bangladesh would strongly advocate climate financing through grants rather than loans, arguing that countries contributing negligibly to global greenhouse gas emissions should not be burdened with additional debt to address the consequences of climate change.
The conference is expected to focus on accelerating implementation of the Paris Agreement, strengthening climate adaptation, mobilizing financing for vulnerable countries and advancing the global transition towards clean energy.
As one of the countries highly vulnerable to climate change, Bangladesh has consistently advocated predictable and accessible international climate financing, particularly for adaptation, disaster preparedness and addressing climate-induced loss and damage.
The summit will bring together heads of state and government to strengthen political commitments, accelerate implementation of climate agreements and mobilise international cooperation to address the worsening climate crisis.
Türkiye will host and preside over COP31, while Australia will chair the negotiations.
